Okaukuejo to Onguma

Last night, Phil and I repeatedly ran outside to look at the water hole- hoping to see the lions – but alas, we did not. Instead we were treated to a never ending parade of zebras, oryx, springbok, elephants, and wildabeast. I even ran out in my pajamas at one point. Fortunately, no one else was out – including the animals.
Then this morning, after breakfast, we sat and enjoyed as hundreds of animals paraded down to the watering hole. It was simply amazing – When I say parade, you must understand that these animals parade in single file down to the water, and then at some point, spontaneously leave in a line. We could have sat there all day.
Okaukuejo, where we stayed last night, is the south entry point to Etosha National Park. We stayed one night and then today we drove through the park. We stopped at several watering holes along the way – hoping to see more animals. Many were dry and therefore abandoned. Others had many animals, similar to the ones we saw at Okaukuejo.
There are three national park lodges in Etosha – one at the south end, one in the middle, and one at the east end. We ate at the one in the middle for lunch. And then we proceeded eastbound – and exited the park about 5 minutes before it closed for the night.
New animals for the day included a steenbok, several new birds, many impala, a dikdik (smallest antelope in Africa).
Josea is still hoping to find a lion for me to see. We hear them every night but have not seen one yet. There have been many sightings in the last week- but not for us.
Our lodging for the night, is right outside the east gate – and it is very nice.
We entered the property right outside the gate – but the road was 9 km. long. So we drove alongside the fence that divides the park. Then we arrived. Onguma Bush Camp is a simple but very nice camp that has tent sites and cabins. First we enjoyed a drink around an outdoor fire. Onguma has a watering hole but it is not as large as Okaukuejo. We just enjoyed a lovely dinner in the main restaurant – where about 20 people were eating.
When you have very little electricity (light) as is common here, we go to bed very early. Often before nine. But we also get up early. And we are on vacation! So, we enjoy long days and sleep through long nights.